Naki Stevens's Convention Blog

Back at the Flying J

Naki from Olympia, WA — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:58:04 EDT

I caught a cold so left Colorado a day early and am sitting in a Flying J (truck stop) "living room" in Billings with a couple of truckers, a TV, a sound track, video games, and a major case of the sniffles -- at least I am not infecting GOTV folks in CO....Yesterday I got to canvass in "Old Town" Ft. Collins, a charming downtown neighborhood full of D's and a few Undecided, one of whom I got to shake my hand hand when he finally said if it mattered to me, he'd vote for Obama. All in all, it was a marvelous experience to talk to people at their doors about their views and dreams. Leaving a day early, I will be home in time to canvass Sunday in Oly, as well as Monday and Tuesday - it's almost over -- what a trip!

It's Late

Naki from Olympia, WA — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:08:46 EDT

Late at night (for me) and late in the election of 2008.... lots of data entry yesterday and today to do my part dealing with the 50,000 names and numbers gathered at Sunday's incredible Obama rally in FTC. The weather's been glorious, and Adele and I did get out canvassing this afternoon in yet another Republican subdivision - it's a slog finding our voters here in Colorado. But we are finding them, and they are enthused. We wrapped up the day late canvassing in Old Town FTC, which is where all the D's live, so that was like a reward. Then a great dinner with all the evening canvassers and home to bed at last. Only two more days for me here, as I have to leave Friday to be able to work the last 2-3 days in Washington for Gregoire -- I saw the poll this morning putting her 5 points up - HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

what a day was made for us

Naki from Olympia, WA — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:49:07 EDT

AP has the attendance at the Ft. Collins Obama rally -- WITH OBAMA -- at 50,000. I believe it. My assignment was to sign people in, one among many of a small (actually LARGE) army of volunteers with clipboards and sign-in sheets for GOTV. I kept trying to move toward the back of the line to find people who hadn't signed in yet. After 5 hours, I still hadn't found the back of the line. I finally worked through my 2 inches of sign-in sheets and veered off to join my friends in the "VIP Line," reserved for those who had knocked on 100 doors on Saturday. Thanks to cells, I found them and was reunited with my down jacket, which I really could have used for the previous many hours - oh well. But we got in and what an amazing scene it was. Just imagine the beautiful Colorado blue sky above the quad of golden-leaved Elms with 50,000 like-minded souls all around riveted to the sound and sight of Barack Obama and and his message of hope and change - a joyous time for all.

Beautiful Colorado - 12 points up!

Naki from Olympia, WA — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:55:22 EDT

First, we are all beyond excited to see Barack here in little Ft. Collins tomorrow. Everyone is scheming how to make the hours in line bearable if not pleasurable...Today the Rocky Mtn News announced that their poll (with CBS) has Barack 12 points up. Wow. He's only 11 points up in Washington!!!

I canvassed all day today in Windsor - kind of a weird exurb, but the weather was truly gorgeous, and there were some very interesting people. The mountains are so beautiful.

Barack Coming to Ft. C on Sunday!

Naki from Olympia, WA — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:13:07 EDT

I had just a great day canvassing in the beautiful Colorado sunshine (minus the wind) - this is just the BEST vacation! It is so moving to be let into people's homes to talk about the future of our country. I have met the 86 year old Repub woman who has never voted for a Democratic, who, yes, is voting for Barack. I have met kids who are excited to see me at the door and to tell me their mom is voting for Obama. I have met young marines voting Obama, college students, young moms. There have been a few nice Repubs, but way more unhappy ones who shoo me away. But the lists are pretty good at this point, and I really feel I am gettin' out the vote. I have canvassed many unaffiliated undecideds and feel I have gained some votes.

I got back to the office around 6:00, and Anja, who is my special staff angel, listened to me blathering on about what a great day I'd had and how this is just the best vacation, and she said, "well, it's about to get a lot better. Barack is coming to Ft. Collins Sunday, and you are going to have VIP seating."

Am I lucky or what?

Great Day in Ft. Collins

Naki from Olympia, WA — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:42:52 EDT

I arrived at the Obama HQ in Ft. C around 9:30 this morning and was immediately swept up in the hub-bub. I was introduced around to all the staffers and given a tour of the office (free food - these people know what they are doing). Really really great folks and very organized!!!!!! I spent till noon phoning seniors to encourage early voting - had some pretty interesting conversations, both on the phone and with the 3 other volunteers at my table. Lots of laughter and upbeat energy. I was seated right near the door, and people were coming in and out all morning.

Lunch at the Taj Mahal with Adele, her wonderful friend Star and Star's sweet mom, Omi, then back to HQ. I spent all afternoon till 6:00 canvassing. Ft. Collins is more R than Oly, that's for sure, but there were plenty of happy D's to talk with.

We just found out Barack will be coming to Denver on Sunday - so everyone's flyin' high.

I got back to Page and Adele's just after 6:00 for a hot tub and wonderful homemade pear-blue cheese-carmelized onion pizza!

It feels like Colorado is going to go blue, gang!

Landed in Ft. Collins

Naki from Olympia, WA — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:02:37 EDT

I zoomed (sort of) out of Casper at the crack of dawn, past the antelope grazing the stern hills of Wyoming and got to Greeley, Colorado just in time to wait in line about 45 minutes to see Joe Biden. The high school gym was jam-packed with super-enthusiastic Colorado Dems ready to rumble. Joe was great, and I managed to get to the rope line and shake hands with his little finger. He does have a great smile! I got to my friends Page and Adele's in Ft. Collins by late afternoon. Dell and I went to the debate between Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, right wing-nut and her very excellent Democratic challenger, Besty Markey. Musgrave was all attack-attack, toxic, cynical, government-is-the-problem, "you and your radical environmentalist friends" and on and on and on. Very nasty person. Markey handled the attacks well, and the audience was definitely on her side. Time for a little shut-eye and then to the Obama HQ in Ft.C in the morning. Later.

Back to Colorado for GOTV!

Naki from Olympia, WA — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:53:04 EDT

Hi Friends and Family - I am "camped" at the Flying J Truck Stop in Casper Wyoming on my way back to Colorado to work on Get Out the Vote in a truly critical state, see today's CNN post here http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/20/mccain-camp-looking-for-way-to-win-without-colorado/#more-25677

I left Oly yesterday in Pearl the Camper, heading East through beautiful Washington, kinda weird Idado, into Montana, "camping" last night at Muralts Truck Stop just west of Missoula. I learned this trick of free "camping"-with-Internet from Anne Stevens, who has a long history of traveling between Vermont and Colorado and knows how to do it on a dime. Thank you Annie! If you try it, enjoy the truckers, who are all really nice. Earplugs help.

I left Oly at the crack Sunday before I could see Joe Biden in Tacoma on Sunday (19th), because I felt I should just GET GOING. Turns out ole Joe The Senator is speaking tomorrow in Greeley Colorado, virtually on the way to my final destination, Ft. Collins. So I am going to see Joe after all...should be a high octane event!

The Obama Campaign was its usual incredible efficient self in welcoming me and facilitating my travel to work for Barack. Who among us has ever volunteered for the D's and not been taken up instead with worthy efforts to help the hangers-on and then the incredible wait while the volunteer coordinator got distracted by one question after another till they finally remembered that you were waiting patiently for a job? This Obama crowd is nothing if not smart and "customer-oriented." Watching the polls, I first thought maybe I should go to Nevada, which seemed a little closer. But the Out-of-State-Volunteer Coordinator for Nevada steered me to Colorado, as Nevada's border state is California, and Reno and LV and the rest of NV are swamped with volunteers. And the Colorado Out-of-State Coordinator was completely excited to have my help.

This is incredible, people. I realize a lot of mocking has been going on of the self-referential "we are the change we have been waiting for," but if you are an unreconstructed '60's anti-war activist like me, you might hear in your head the strains of an old folk song whose name I can't remember, but goes "HOW LONG, HOW LONG will it be til your returning, how long, how long must I keep the fires burning?" (Maybe someone can help me with the name of the song and the artist). It's been 40 years, gang, since peace-and-love time --when there was a lot of anger in the streets as well -- 40 years since people really rose up to claim the power of concern for others and for our planet. I am so fortunate to be able to be part of it.

Well, the trucks are moving in all around for the night. Wyoming Public Radio has Mozart going, and I better do the dishes.....if you have any time to spare over the next two weeks, spend it, if you can, on the future of our country and our state. For me, I have gotten so much more out of it than I have given. Love you guys! Nak

Last Day (and Night) - First Post

Naki from Olympia, WA — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:32:44 EDT

Sitting in the hotel lobby, I prevailed upon a friend with a computer for a few moments online....We had a great breakfast - The Gov fired people up at 7:15, pretty good, as everyone is operating on about 2 or 3 hours of sleep a night. Norm Dicks talked about his favorite subject, money, and got in some plugs for Puget Sound clean up.

People are meeting and greeting in the lobby, as folks arrive from Washington, Oregon, or Arizona (with whose delegations Washington shares the hotel) for the big speech tonight. The lobby is electric at 12:30 p.m., just imagine what Invesco will feel like in a few hours.

I estimate about 5% of the Clinton folks convention-wide are hanging onto their heroine. I don't totally get it, but we really need to bring them in over the next few weeks. Five percent is five percent.

Just got a call from Abby, who is on her way to the Convention Center for the Youth Caucus, so I gotta go. If you readers out there have picked up even a smidgen of the energy of Denver that I am trying to convey, this girl will be even happier Iif possible). I will post again when we get home to Pearl from Invesco. Love ya, Earth Mama for Obama.

The Wild Rumpus, Day Three

Naki from Olympia, WA — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:47:10 EDT

It was hard getting up after 2 hours sleep, but the bike ride from our campsite at 6:30 woke me up enough to get to the hotel where the wonderful wacky Washington State delegation is staying (except for us, of course).

The day started with Ray Nagin and Amy Klokubar for breakfast - I probably spelled her name wrong, but she is great - Senator from Minnesota who should run for Prez someday, which I told her after breakfast..

We all trooped off for the day of service, sorting and packing food for Meals on Wheels. Lot's of great spirit and good to get actual useful work done.

I then went to the Green Delegate reception, for those states (30) including Washington whose entire delegation participated in the carbon offset program. I got to show my Earth Mama for Obama flyer and tell the story to a bunch of actually interested people. A free Zune plus lunch came with the deal - I am informed that a Zune is a Microsoft I-pod. Cool. But what do I do with it? Eat it? It looks like a candy bar, after all.

Then off to the Pepsi Center - no floor time today, but that was really preferable, as the incredible excitement of the rollcall was spread out beneath us from the nosebleed section. After 2 or 3 states, it was apparent that Clinton had released her delegates and most were voting for Obama. But the suspense was huge- would there be floor demonstrations or other divisive embarrassments???? Finally, New Mexico yielded to ...oh no! Illinois and not New York as we had hoped, thinking that Hillary herself might put Barack over the top with NY's delegates. But then after all the great-state-of stuff, Illinois yielded to New York, and the place went WILD.

There's tons more, but I am just too pooped! Suffice to say, Barack showing up at the end was the ultimate. Another wobbly bike ride home in the dark after a few beers with fellow-travelers at the hotel. CA-RAZEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, onto Invesco. Should be incredible. So much more to tell. The experience of a lifetime.....

Unbelievably over-the-top

Naki from Olympia, WA — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:23:00 EDT

Well, those of you who know and love me will understand the brevity of this post. First, I couldn't get on line (again) when at the convention today. Second, it is now 2:10 a.m. Wednesday, and yours truly is not exactly a night owl (usually - but this experience is anything but usual...).

I went to a Nation Magazine morning session on the peace movement, where Tom Hayden was fantastic, only to find the crazy bloody-baby-picture people swarming the convention center - how peaceful to see their charming pictures and watch the cops close in. I then went to Barney Frank"s GLBT free luncheon with a table of fascinating people (one of who argued the Lawrence case before the Supremes). I was close up front and who showed up for the keynote but Michelle Obama!!!! Wow - she is fantastic.

I was on the Floor all day today, where you are truly a participant, rather than in more observer mode in the peanut gallery. Washington has the most fun delegation, and we seemed to attract a lot of TV coverage for our oufits, hats, dancing, and cheers.

The highlight of course was the Clinton speech, although Brian Sweitzer from Montana really got people going. I had my binoculars and kept on the lookout for luminaries - Jimmy Carter, George McGovern, Joe Biden, Michelle, etc. Our delegation seems to be right by a door where some VIPS come in, as we saw a steady stream go by. I got a gubernatorial kiss when Chris arrived and spent a lot of my day sitting next to and chatting with Hizzhoner/Seattle. I started playing a game to see how many media people I could get to say hi to me - they all did (Wolf, Andrea Mitchell, Paul Begala, etc.) I met the Vermont delegation, most of whom know my sister, who I called on the spot and was pretty tickled. There is so much more to the most exciting experience of my life!

Hillary did great and has dispelled a lot of the concern. It was thrilling to be in the middle of it all. More later.....

First Day is a BLAST-OFF!!!

Naki from Olympia, WA — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:15:16 EDT

August 25, 2008

I am the first Alternate in the Washington delegation to make it to the floor, having picked #1 in the lottery for Alternates to be seated on the floor – so my luck continues. The Washington delegation is seated to the left on the podium between Alabama and Kansas, one level up – really great seats. We can see about the people just below us and have a direct view of the podium.

Last night, I had a chat with Patty Murray, who loved my Earth Mama for Obama t-shirt. Haven’t seen the Gov yet. Saw Donna Brazile rushing by. And the media are swarming everywhere. On the light rail ride in this morning, I was interviewed by a reporter with Roll Call (Washington DC Capitol Hill insiders’ paper). The media people are all over – John King with his map toy was most amusing to witness in person.

Our campground is fabulous – Abby and I went for a great swim in the lake Sunday and then rode our bikes into the reception at the hotel, about 5 miles away. It was a madhouse but tons of fun, especially the ride home after a G&T.

This is truly an amazing experience. What a party – wow – after 4 hours of dancing on the floor with the wacky wonderful Washington delegation, the last 2 hours are in the nosebleed section. But not before Joe Biden put in a surprise appearance, and the place went wild. I think the highlight, after that crazy scene, was Caroline Kennedy – and then Teddy. Not too many dry eyes, mine included.

Naturally, I have not been able to get wireless to work from the floor, so this posting will be a day late. Sorry bout that – maybe I’ll figure it out Tuesday night. Closing thought – so I can concentrate on Michelle’s speech in a few minutes….the Dems are chaotic, yes, but I am humbled and inspired by the deep compassion and integrity of principles of this group of people that calls itself the Democratic Party. PARTY indeed!

Naki's report from inside the convention

Naki from Olympia, WA — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:32:46 EDT

Abby and I leave August 16 - our 6th anniversary of our civil union - in PEARL the VW camper for Denver, with stops along the way in the Snowy Mountains of Wyoming for the Ruskey Reunion (another sort of convention) and Ft. Collins CO with our best buds, Page and Adele.

We arrive August 24th at Cherry Creek State Park to claim our campsite for convention week, saving us oodles of money by avoiding the Hyatt Regency, where the rest of the WA Delegation is staying. It's only 4 miles by bike from our campsite, a easy ride for the morning breakfast meetings from 7:00 till 9:00, a more interesting ride home after all the days festivities.

The convention itself starts at 4:00 every day (3:00 Pacific) and goes till 9:00. I will try to blog from the floor at least several times a day, assuming there's wireless. Check back!!!